(WASHINGTON, DC) The Russian Defense Ministry has provided a glimpse into its state of the art Arctic air defense base, offering an interactive tour of the facility known as the Arctic Shamrock – the northernmost permanent installation of the Russian armed forces.

“With the help of the web application, Defense Ministry website http://mil.ru/files/files/arctic/Arctic.html visitors will be able to interactively assess the convenient and ergonomic modular layout of the base, which allows the Russian military to perform service and combat tasks in the hardest natural and climatic conditions of the Arctic,” the Defense Ministry said in a statement.

Russian officials say they may equip the base with MiG-31 fighters, military jets designed to shoot down long-range bombers, or the SU-34, a frontline bomber capable of deploying nuclear weapons.

…

Erected on the large island of Alexandra Land, which is part of the Franz Josef Land archipelago, the base is set to ensure Russia’s continued presence in the region. It will house some 150 personnel who will be tasked with protecting the Russian border, airspace, and other interests in the region.

The massive three-pointed complex is painted in the red, white, and blue of the Russian flag. The 14,000 sq. m complex features the world’s northern-most permanent building located on the 80th parallel in below freezing temperatures all year around.

…

While the larger part of the base remains top-secret, now anyone in the world can explore the comfort of the living quarters and assess the magnitude of Russian construction, which when fully equipped can function autonomously for 18 months.

…

In 2014, Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu presented a major plan to cover Russia’s northern borders with a network of military bases and radar stations as part of the country’s strategy in the Arctic. The plan also provides for the building of 13 airfields, one land test range for the Air Force, 10 radar sites, and direction centers.